Private medical insurance provides access to private healthcare, which can offer significant advantages in terms of time, quality of care, convenience and comfort.

No waiting lists

Perhaps the biggest advantage of having access to private medical treatment is faster appointments. Waiting lists are not as bad as they used to be in the NHS, with the current target a maximum wait of 18 weeks for 90% of patients from referral to treatment.

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In many cases this target is being met, and beaten. According to the latest figures, for summer 2013, the average (median) waiting time for patients completing a referral to treatment pathway was 8.6 weeks for patients who were admitted and 5.0 weeks for outpatients. Nonetheless, a small number of patients were still waiting over 52 weeks for treatment.

Many people are concerned about the effect of the proposed NHS reforms, and with no less than 2.91 million patients waiting to start treatment in July 2013, the system is clearly under pressure. With private medical insurance, you can access care more quickly and at your own convenience.

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Private clinics tend also to run to time, unlike NHS clinics, which can take up most of the day if you include travelling and waiting time.

Consistency of treatment

With NHS treatment, there is no guarantee that you will always see your consultant when you go for an appointment or have treatment. Often you will see a junior member of their team, who is there to help with the consultant's workload.

With private medical insurance, you will usually see the same consultant throughout your treatment.

A more personal service

Stressed NHS staff work hard and are as patient and caring as possible, but there is no time for that little extra that can add to your well-being. A private clinic or hospital allows more time and more staff so that you get that extra quality of service. Appointments are longer, so you will feel less rushed and waiting rooms are more comfortable, often with free refreshments.

Comfort and privacy

Many people choose private medical insurance because they don't want to be on a ward with other people, particularly now some NHS wards are mixed sex. Cleanliness has been an issue and although things have improved, as funding becomes more and more stretched, standards may suffer.

With private medical insurance, you will have your own room in a smaller private hospital. This will be well funded and well-staffed, giving you the peace of mind that your room is clean but also that you will get a higher level of privacy throughout your stay. Visiting times tend to be more flexible too.

Access to specialist drugs and treatments

All new drugs and treatments in England and Wales have to be approved by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) before they are used. NICE makes its decisions based on things like value for money. This means that the NHS does not always provide the best treatment available if the cost is too high. For example, the breakthrough breast cancer drug Everolimus, costing £36,000 per year, was rejected by NICE in March 2013.

Most basic private medical insurance policies will only provide drugs and treatments available on the NHS, but some premium medical insurance policies will give you access to these specialist treatments and drugs.

The materials in this web site are in no way intended to replace the professional medical care, advice, diagnosis or treatment of a doctor. The web site does not have answers to all problems. Answers to specific problems may not apply to everyone. If you notice medical symptoms or feel ill, you should consult your doctor - for further information see our Terms and conditions.

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